NEWS & STATS

Last Week Today: Star-Struck

By: Alexander Kinkopf

January 29, 2018 10:49 AM

The Rundown:

From one extreme to another. After a rather quiet four days, the Roadrunners got back into the swing of tending to their schedule to host the Chicago Wolves for a pair of games Friday and Saturday night. Immediately after, three players, along with Head Coach Mike Van Ryn made an overnight, 2,000-plus mile trek to Utica, New York for the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.

Late-game magic returned to the team’s repertoire at Tucson Arena Friday night – when Lawson Crouse struck with 3:16 left to play in regulation to send Chicago’s first-ever visit to overtime, where Dakota Mermis ultimately clinched a 2-1 victory, scoring with 6.8 seconds left in the extra frame.

Saturday night, the team suffered its first regulation loss of the season against a Central Division opponent, falling to the Wolves by a 4-3 score. Prior to the loss, the Roadrunners had earned points in all eight games (6-0-2-0) played against teams from the Midwest region.

With points in both games against the Wolves, Mike Sislo extended his point-streak to nine games – setting a new franchise record, surpassing Dylan Strome's previous high-mark that was set on December 22, 2017.

Hunter Miska has now won six-straight decisions, has 13 wins on the year, and is a perfect 5-0 in overtime games this season.

Nick Merkley, Dylan Strome, and Kyle Capobianco participated in the 2018 AHL All-Star Skills Competition Sunday night, taking part in a four events and making a combined 10 appearances. A full rundown can be read here.

The Week That Was:

Up & Down

Recalls (TUC --> ARI)

None

Assignments (ARI --> TUC)

None

Transactions

None

Alumni in Action:

Brendan Perlini scored in each of the Coyotes’ two games played during the week, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games. Perlini played in his 100th NHL game Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Gila River Arena, where he registered his 14th goal of the season – tying Clayton Keller for the team lead.

In his 100th game, B. Perlini has passed P. Mueller (27 goals) for most goals in the 1st 100 games of a player's career in #Coyotes history.

Sometimes there's room for two highlights. Let's talk about Nick Merkley's get-up in arriving for Sunday night's Skills Competition for a second. Kills it. I mean, drives it home. Seen sixth in the video below, Merkley's tan overcoat/shoe combo emulated a confidence and swagger so deep league officials almost awarded the Western Conference a point.